An Inside Look at the White House Passover Seder

by Lauren Salkeld

on 04/14/11 at 11:06 AM

Despite rather humble origins, the Obama Administration's White House seder is now the stuff of legend. Having read about this private affair, we were eager to learn more. Who attends? What's on the menu? Do they ask the four questions?

For the real story, Epicurious spoke to Eric Lesser, one of the founders of the White House seder and currently Director of Strategic Planning for Austan Goolsbee, the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. According to Lesser, who was a Ground Logistic Coordinator at the time (and later worked for David Axelrod), the White House seder tradition started in April 2008, in the midst of the Pennsylvania primary. Senator Obama was behind in the polls and, as Lesser explains, "it was considered a really gloomy period in the campaign." He remembers feeling down, not only about the campaign but also because he wouldn't be able to spend Passover with his family.

The solution, devised by Lesser and fellow campaign staffers Arun Chaudhary and Herbie Ziskend, was to organize a makeshift seder for the first night of Passover. Lesser got his hands on what he calls "an emergency seder kit" containing a seder plate, a box of matzoh, macaroons, and the other necessary supplies, from the University of Pennsylvania's Hillel center and around 9:30 that night, he, Ziskend, and Chaudhary gathered in the windowless basement of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Sheraton. Just as they were about to begin, Senator Obama appeared and asked, "Is this the seder? Can I join?" Of course!

Remembering that first seder, Lesser says it represented a unique moment in the campaign. "It was just a small groupno reporters, no cameras, no crowdsand no one even knew it was happening."

Lesser reports that at the end of the night, when everyone said, "Next year in Jerusalem," Senator Obama responded, "Next year in the White House." And about a year later, President Obama started to ask about the Passover plans. The White House seder has been held every year since and 2011 is no different.

This year, the first family, a few of their close friends, and the original foundersLesser, Chaudhary, and Ziskendwill gather on the first night of Passover, Monday, April 18. If you're hoping to score an invitation you're out of luck as the invite list is limited to those that attended the first year. The small groupit's usually about 18 peoplewill feast on customary Passover dishes, including brisket, noodle kugel, and macaroons and in what has become a White House tradition, the guests contribute recipes for their family favoritesLesser shares his mom's carrot soufflé made with matzoh meal.

The White House seder now takes place in the Old Family Dining Room, which is certainly a step up from the hotel basement where the original gathering was held. But, as Lesser explains, they've "really kept to the spirit of what it originally was, which was a small, intimate, family-focused arrangement." They observe all the seder rituals, dipping parsley into salt water, hiding the matzoh, and yes, asking the four questions.

We celebrated Passover last night at my sister's. It was lots of work, but comforting to know that all over the world, people just like us were doing the same thing. We thank you, President Obama, for respecting and participating in the most meaningful ritual of our faith. May you visit Jerusalem THIS year!

G8_cook
02:39:16 PM on
04/17/11

Would have been nice to see a little respect,
I can't see a cap on Mr. O

mzkwooz
10:07:18 AM on
04/15/11

Ooh--Can we get (or someone suggest) the recipe fo the carrot souffle?

nancyvon1
03:09:46 PM on
04/14/11

Thanks for the intimate look into the Obama White House. We should all be so gracious.

MotherofElizabeth
02:43:22 PM on
04/14/11

Intriguing article. I had to research the four questions. Learn a little every day.

salco
02:28:41 PM on
04/14/11

"....a lovely story."

Yes, "story" it is - one solidly in the category of urban myth. I'm disapointed that the editor[s] of Epicurious have allowed themselves to be used for crass political gain. Tsk, tsk boys 'n girls.

culinarykitten
01:59:49 PM on
04/14/11

thank you for posting this... what a lovely story... i had never heard it before, and i didn't realize that president obama celebrated passover..

LaurenSalkeld
11:28:02 AM on
04/14/11

Yes, Lederhead, the Kugel is indeed made with Kosher for Passover noodles.